Reviews - The First Four Years

The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

365 reviews for:

I told myself I wasn't going to read this book as it wasn't even written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. A couple weeks go by and I confused this book with another, and found myself reading it. Okay, Laura Ingalls wrote some of it, probably an outline sketch, but then an "adopted grandson" found the manuscript and decided to make a quick buck. And that's what this book feels like... an attempt to cash in on Laura Ingalls.

The book is pretty short, only 135 pages and Laura's distinctive author "voice" is mostly absent. It feels and reads like someone else wrote it pretending to be Laura. The Laura in this book is mostly concerned with money and seems ambivalent about visiting her family. Pa is present for only one sentence. There is some singing but no fiddle. The story follows Laura and Almanzo for the first four years of married life, beginning with their wedding day (which is lifted entirely from "These Happy Golden Years." There are crops to be brought in and ponies to ride and cows to milk. Laura gets pregnant and gives birth to daughter Rose. There are surprise winter storms, a tornado, illness, and a fire to deal with in this book.

I'm only giving this 2 stars because it totally reads like someone cashing in on Laura Ingalls' life. It was just okay and I doubt I will read it again.

charlibirb's review against another edition

2.75

This lacked the depth and interest of the rest of the series. It moved too quickly and I didn't get a sense of what their life was like beyond what felt like a laundry list.

kjerstig's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

vplett4's review against another edition

3.5

reflective

ldepastino's review against another edition

Over the course of several months I listened to the complete little house series for the first time since my mom read them to me as a youngin. If you remember these books from childhood I HIGHLY recommend rereading one or two or more, it's crazy to revisit as an adult. Pretty dark stuff!!!! Pa is the villain!!!!

desibaker83's review against another edition

3.0

Holy guacamole this one was even more depressing than the rest. I admit, the kids and I were close to tears at the end. I wish Mrs. Wilder would have had more time to edit and revise it before it was published, but it was still good. Not for the sensitive, though.